Saturday, August 16, 2014

New York Yankees star rookie Masahiro Tanaka will advance his rehab Saturday by throwing a full-speed, 25-pitch bullpen session at Tropicana Field says MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. In addition, catcher Brian McCann expects to return from his concussion to the lineup in Sunday's series finale with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Masahiro TanakaUPDATE: Tanaka felt no pain or discomfort after his bullpen session. See the details here.

In his Saturday morning report, Hoch says that if Tanaka continues to show steady progress, then he could rejoin the Yankees' rotation by the beginning of September. Since the rosters expand to as many as 40 at that time, the Yankees would not have to move another player to make room for him. Manager Joe Girardi, though, still says it is still too early to tell if or when he will get his right-hander back.

Tanaka has thrown long distances from flat ground, and he has performed PFP drills as he recovers from his partially-torn UCL. Hoch quoted him discussing his rehab through an interpreter. Tanaka called Saturday's bullpen session crucial to his progress. Said Tanaka,

"If I can't throw the way I want to throw on a mound or in a bullpen, then there's no way I'll be able to throw that in a game. So, definitely the bullpen will be important."

The Yankees have fallen hard this week, so getting Tanaka back will give them a boost assuming the offense awakens.

Brian McCann
Meanwhile, catcher Brian McCann has participated in pre-game warm-ups in St. Petersburg, and he said that the Yankees are "shooting for Sunday" to return him to action.